Arts-X-press is a summer arts immersion program for 7th and 8th grade students created by the Pacific Symphony in celebration of Cole Carsan St.Clair. 150 students are nominated by teachers throughout Orange County to come together for 5 days of creative exploration each summer. The program has two goals: 1) To expose students to all 5 performing and visual arts; and 2) To foster respect for and interest in each student’s individuality, talents, interests, and background.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Carl, Raku, and Leslie - oh my!

Calling all parents!

These are your favorite counselors Amrit and Jessica, bringing you the latest news from arts-X-press land. Today was an amazing and action-packed day (look at the time we posted this!) and we have a ton of great stories to share.

We got off to a bright and early start this morning -- all the kids were up by 7:15. After breakfast and C.E. for the morning, the campers were dismissed to their arts workshops. In their workshops, students put the finishing touches on their performances for the Parent Presentation (Tuesday night at 6:45, don't forget!). The campers are really excited to share the work they've done over the past week with their friends and family!

After our arts workshops, the Visual Art teacher Lisa, the Vocal teacher Leslie, and the counselors gave the students a preview of The Pageant of the Masters with their own version of "The Last Supper," featuring the humble Leslie as Jesus.

The campers had a special treat at lunch today: a visit from several Pacific Symphony members! These members sat at various tables and the students were able to ask them all kinds of questions about music, art, and just general life questions.

After that, we arrived at the Laguna Beach Arts Festival and everyone created their own works of art! The students rotated between working on Japanese-style raku pots, relief printmaking, and rainbow scratch art.

Then, after this outpouring of creativity, the arts-X-press crew made the trek up to Heisler Park right near the beach, where we were lucky enough to eat with the one and only conductor of the Pacific Symphony, Carl St. Clair.  The students were truly engaged and asked some really great questions!

This year's theme at Pageant of the Masters was "The Art Detective," during which we saw many famous stolen paintings throughout history, such as Vermeer's "The Concert."  The students had been given a backstage tour earlier in the day, so they knew all the little secrets behind the operation of the show, such as how the stages moved, and how the costumes, makeup, and scenery were done.

The students were super excited for the show to start, and when the curtain finally rose, they could hardly contain their excitement. And boy was the wait worth it! The show was fantastic and featured a variety of works of art, including "Madame X," "The Third Man," and "El Jaleo."

Finally, the excursion ended (at 10:45!) and we arrived back at Vanguard a little while later. After their three-minute showers, the kids went to bed looking forward to their last full day at Arts-X-Press!

- Amrit & Jessica (and maybe a little bit Maggie)




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